Apparatus and method for removing sections or pages from a web

ABSTRACT

A web of paper, having segments such as pages, can be processed for normal storage on a rewind roll or folder, or selected segments diverted from this normal or primary path by a deflector at the exit end of the processing device. Alternative storage for the diverted web segment or segments is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to recently issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,829,707 and 5,860,616, the content of which patents are incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] Both the above-identified patents relate to feeding paper web material to or from a high speed laser printer or other processing device, of the type having an unwind machine provided at one end to feed a paper web into the device, and an unwind machine or other apparatus at the output end of the device to receive the paper web after it is processed, as by being printed, and either rewinding the web onto an unwind roll or folding the paper web following such a printing operation by the printer or other processing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Small print shops have a need for removing sections or pages from a continuous web for various purposes. For example, one might need to inspect a sample page, or otherwise withdraw pages or sections from a continuously moving web that has been printed upon or otherwise processed, and for accomplishing this task immediately after the paper web has been processed or printed upon and prior to rewinding of the paper web on a paper roll, or folding the paper in the case of a continuous folded sheet of web material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1A shows a typical processing device such as a laser printer having a web fed into one end of the device and showing the paper web exiting from the processing device, to be wound on a rewind roll or otherwise handled, as for example, by a folding apparatus.

[0005]FIG. 1B shows the device of FIG. 1A, and also illustrates a deflector for re-directing the web as it exits the processing device so as to provide for feeding pages or sections of web to an alternative downstream apparatus such as a rewind machine or folding apparatus, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1A show a typical laser printer in the form of a device 10 having an internal sensor that reads indicia provided on the paper web W while the web is being fed through the device 10.

[0007] As best shown in FIG. 1B, the sensor A provides an input signal to a controller C for selective operation of the deflector D provided at the exit end of the device 10.

[0008]FIG. 1A shows the normal operation of the processing device 10 where the web W is fed continuously therethrough from an unwind machine (not shown) through the processing device to a rewind machine (not shown) or equivalent device as described in my previously issued U.S. Pat, Nos. 5,505,401; 5,617,134 and the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,860,616 and 5,829,707.

[0009] Although the processing device has been described as a laser printer, it will be apparent that this device 10 may comprise other processing equipment as for example, a web cutter, or web slitter for example.

[0010] The controller C is programmed to select predetermined pages or web sections for diversion as suggested in FIG. 1B, or may be set for operation of the deflector only in response to a signal from the laser printer, or other device which is located upstream or downstream of the processing device 10.

[0011] In any event, the section or web to be deflected as suggested in FIG. 1B is provided to an alternative downstream apparatus such as a rewind roll or folder or other equipment capable of handling selected segments of the web material. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. In a machine for manipulating web material between a processing device and a web receiving device, said apparatus comprising: a means for normally providing a primary path for the paper web exiting the processing device for storage on a rewind roll or folding apparatus, and paper web deflecting means for re-directing the web along a second path other than said primary path for receipt by said web receiving device, control means for operating said web deflecting means in response to an input signal.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said input signal occurs as a result of a preprogrammed schedule.
 3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said input signal is derived from the processing device.
 4. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said input signal is derived from a laser printer.
 5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said input signal is derived from said web receiving device.
 6. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein an alternative web receiving device is provided in said second path, said input signal being derived from said alternative web receiving device.
 7. A method for manipulating web material exiting a processing device comprising: deflecting a segment of the web from a primary path from said processing device to a web storage device, selectively deflecting said web segment in response to a control input from said processing device to allow the web to follow a primary path toward a web storage apparatus. 